Seniors, Wellness and Social Development
Municipal and Intergovernmental AffairsNovember 28, 2014

The following is being distributed at the request of Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation:

Supporting Accessible Affordable Housing

Governments of Canada and Newfoundland and Labrador
Sign $68 Million Investment in Affordable Housing Agreement

The Governments of Canada and Newfoundland and Labrador today announced a combined investment of more than $68 million over five years to help more individuals and families access affordable housing and renovate their existing homes. The funding will be delivered through an extension to the Investment in Affordable Housing (IAH) agreement, administered in this province through Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation (NLHC).

“Our government has made historic investments in housing to create better economic outcomes for Canadian families. The Province of Newfoundland and Labrador will be able to direct this new funding into housing solutions that best meet their local needs and priorities.”- The Honourable Candice Bergen, Minister of State (Social Development)

Under the IAH agreement, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador can design and deliver a range of affordable housing programs to address local housing needs and priorities. The agreement will enable NLHC to continue partnering with affordable housing developers in the private and non-profit supportive living sectors by investing $27 million to construct about 590 new affordable housing units province-wide. The remaining $41 million will be invested in the Provincial Home Repair Program. Administered and delivered by Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation, this program provides financial assistance for renovations and repairs for low-income households thereby enabling them to remain in their own homes longer.

“Providing affordable housing is a challenge that all governments face, and it is important that we work together to identify solutions. This unprecedented five-year Investment in Affordable Housing agreement will significantly improve our ability to offer more affordable rental housing options and enhance our Provincial Home Repair Program for those most in need.” - The Honourable Clyde Jackman, Minister of Seniors, Wellness and Social Development, Minister Responsible for the Status of Persons with Disabilities, and Minister Responsible for the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation

A key objective for the Provincial Government is to stimulate the development of affordable rental housing by the private, public and non-profit sectors. Priority is placed on developing rental housing for persons with complex needs, persons with disabilities, seniors and people who require support to live independently in the community. By the end of 2019, a total of 1,700 new affordable homes will have been created under the IAH program.

“I am pleased that our governments continue to invest in housing to improve the lives of Canadians; especially here in Newfoundland and Labrador. This investment will ensure that people in this province continue to have access to safe and affordable housing.”- The Honourable Rob Moore, Regional Minister for Newfoundland and Labrador and Minister of State (Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency)

On August 16, 2011, the Governments of Canada and Newfoundland and Labrador announced an IAH agreement with a combined investment of some $41 million for the 2011-2014 period. This new agreement extends the original agreement for the 2014-2019 period, with an additional combined investment of more than $68 million. From April 2011 to September 2014, the IAH has already helped close to 213,000 households nationally, including almost 6,400 in Newfoundland and Labrador.

“The Provincial Government, through Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation, invests significantly in social housing. This federal-provincial agreement will provide more affordable homes for seniors and others in housing need, and enable more individuals and families to repair their own homes and continue living in their communities.”- The Honourable Keith Hutchings, Minister of Municipal and Intergovernmental Affairs.

Annually, the Government of Canada, through Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), will invest approximately $2 billion in housing. These investments improve the quality of life for low-income Canadians and households living in existing social housing, including individuals who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, seniors, persons with disabilities, recent immigrants and Aboriginal people. Economic Action Plan 2013 continued this commitment with a federal investment of more than $1.25 billion over five years to renew the Investment in Affordable Housing to 2019. The Government of Canada will ensure that funds provided to provinces and territories support the use of apprentices, which will support training of skilled labour.

To find out more about how the Government of Canada and CMHC help Canadians meet their housing needs, call CMHC at 1-800-668-2642 or visit www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca. For more information on Canada’s Economic Action Plan, call 1-800-O-Canada or visit www.actionplan.gc.ca.

QUICK FACTS

The Governments of Canada and Newfoundland and Labrador today announced a combined investment of more than $68 million over five years to help more individuals and families access affordable housing and renovate their existing homes.

The funding will be delivered through an extension to the Investment in Affordable Housing (IAH) agreement.

Over five years, $27 million will be invested to help construct approximately 590 new affordable housing units throughout the province.

The remaining $41 million will be invested in the Provincial Home Repair Program to help low-income households make repairs and renovations to their homes.

The Honourable Candice Bergen, Minister of State (Social Development) and the Honourable Clyde Jackman, Minister of Seniors, Wellness and Social Development, sign a $68 million federal-provincial Investment in Affordable Housing Agreement in St. John’s – November 28, 2014.

Media contacts:

Heather May
Director of Communications
Department of Seniors, Wellness and Social Development
709-729-0928, 697-5061heathermay@gov.nl.ca